The park is a great place for birding. There have been 80 species of birds seen in the park as of January 2016. You can find a checklist of birds sighted in Outerbridge Park on the eBird Website.

Habitats and Features in Outerbridge Park

Outerbridge Park contains native habitat, horticultural plantings, two ponds, a rock water fountain, and a level gravel pathway that winds by ponds and meadows and is bordered by beds of flowering herbs, shrubs, and trees. There are several benches where visiors may quietly enjoy the view, the flowers, the blossoming trees, or listen to the birds.

The interactive map will alow you see the identification of trees in the park as well special horticultural plantings.

A map of Outerbridge Park showing habitat types and other featutes of the park. (click on image for a larger version).

Outerbridge Park contains the following habitats and features:

Habitats

Forested:

Two habitat types contain trees; the Forested area and the Riparian area. The Forested area alone covers 16,000 sq. metres of the park. Native tree species include Douglas-fir, Grand Fir, Western Red Cedar, Garry Oak and Red Alder.

Riparian:

The Riparian area covers 6,800 sq. metres of the park. This area does not include the ponds, but includes habitat that is wet or marshy most of the year. It contains wetland grasses and trees, such as Black Cottonwoods and Willows. This area is intended to be left wild as a sanctuary for wild animals and birds.

Ponds:

There are six ponds covering 3,600 sq. metres of the park. The two larger ponds within the pathed area are the "Main Pond" and the "Secret Pond". The Main Pond is within a horticuturally developed area bordered with exotic species and gardens. It contains an island that is intended to remain wild to provide habitat for wild animals and birds. The Secret Pond is an area for quiet contemplation away from the main paths and horticultural beds.

Meadows:

The areas that are primarily grassland, with a few trees, covers 8,500 sq. metres of the park. There are two sub-types within this habitat; areas that are mowed and and areas that are left in a more natural state. The mowed areas are restricted to the south easterly corner around the maintenance buildings.

Features

Horticultural beds:

There are 1,600 sq. metres of horticultural planting beds in the park. They are clustered around the main path and pond in the central/western area of the park.

Fixtures:

In addition to a large rock fountain just north east of the main pond, there are five benches, three bridges, and an interpretive sign located just north of the fountain.

Flora

Trees:

Outerbridge Park has native tree species as well as horticultural trees. The identification and location of trees can be seen on the Outerbridge Park interactive map.